[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6486777,"mediaKeyId","5780435-b055675c6f3397023eef785d5791c6fe","parentId",5780435,"title","New Acton treasurer-collector outlines debt-tracking, banking changes and tax-title strategy","audioSeconds",451,"startMs",481000,"endMs",932000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780435-b055675c6f3397023eef785d5791c6fe&start=481&end=932","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780435-b055675c6f3397023eef785d5791c6fe/thumbnail_481000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6486777/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/New-Acton-treasurer-collector-outlines-debt-tracking-banking-changes-and-tax-title-strategy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486777-7ec8436f568a8b18edfe12ef8cc64d68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412626&Signature=Zli8zae3Sjk3Fw3iymplTysMahYurPT50~9klaGnDw4xEr30g2MI6aie8QuHPHMT01qZkPMx73aM~X6bIdcOmur4XsIWvloxVjSIplsHaHhMyxaGMzy9~UgzPCQXI4hSU-WqYHqedeSQgjGvuuOPRvKNlaP4U-fNYF2278vezJah7cAEJii2Bm~j2jsCYRJZOnpzLC6YIjbIaYz765Ph7Vz1Y6Ux1YHLPegM~SU3tRybPF~wN2ptsICVDBVHdkeFylGB2~J5lAEpyYNcPXx0pzce8BTs31gaD3Wh5ehuqb0zSm-aNptQrGOhQRnijxfn1-gNilG9GwvqgY58XFzNsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Acton","date","2025-09-17T00:02:12.077Z","article","Patrick McIntyre, who began as Acton’s treasurer‑collector in July, briefed the Select Board on operational changes intended to improve transparency, investment returns and cash management.

McIntyre said the town is implementing UniBank’s BaseFund online debt-tracking software to centralize debt reporting and to give read-only access to auditors and other officials. He also reported a planned Oct. 1 conversion of eligible trust funds from the state’s older legal‑list investments to the “prudent investor” standard, which the town expects will broaden allowable investments and improve returns.

To reduce lost interest on funds that sit in payables accounts, McIntyre said he is consolidating accounts and creating a “concentration account” with a zero‑balance sweep structure so daily cash will remain pooled and earn interest until checks clear. He cited a recent example in which a $144,000 check cut to a health trust in June did not clear until Aug. 27; under the new structure, the funds would have been earning interest while they waited to clear.

McIntyre described short-term liquidity steps such as moving some funds into six‑month certificates of deposit to lock in current rates ahead of expected Federal Reserve action, while keeping other funds liquid for operating needs. He also said he will change bank relationships where necessary to ensure the town can wire funds and access accounts.

On tax title work, McIntyre said the town has retained KP Law (specifically attorney Thomas McEnany) for representation and currently has 15 active Land Court cases. He said one decision in a single‑family property case could be imminent; depending on the outcome, the town would have 30 days to decide whether to retain the property or sell it through the updated tax-title sale process, which now requires independent appraisal and a sale process rather than an auction.

Select Board members thanked McIntyre for consolidating accounts and for prioritizing tax‑title work and bank reliability. McIntyre said the office will begin recruiting to replace an assistant treasurer who will move to accounting and that he expects the staff change to be largely seamless.

McIntyre invited questions and offered to share more detailed reports with the board and staff on debt positions, investments and account structure as the office implements the changes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Acton Select Board Meeting - September 15th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Patrick McIntyre, who began as Acton’s treasurer‑collector in July, briefed the Select Board on operational changes intended to improve transparency, investment returns and cash management.","taxTitle","Town of Acton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",56888,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486782,"Acton Fire recognizes two off‑duty lifesaving actions and reports staffing, station-pilot changes",875,2567000,3442000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780435-b055675c6f3397023eef785d5791c6fe&start=2567&end=3442","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780435-b055675c6f3397023eef785d5791c6fe/thumbnail_2567000.jpg","/articles/6486782/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Acton-Fire-recognizes-two-offduty-lifesaving-actions-and-reports-staffing-station-pilot-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486782-e5383820ba1e48e641f8ebbae538b8d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412626&Signature=cn6LBpXz~lB4q36QklzYvD1FAtF5uhGy1OrmzdVcP34QWdvOgKskp5ch5s7atYDjR4TEGAAxVnkw0mr2O90BDHVbESYt7LilL2TcTCyhYjAHRywhozpIarNlfAIEdwMsDyRHC~D485otMUeb~5GWOoacrmM~d-8~0mwZK3wzXFS9yCK73SVQlqcWMvf1yRib4Mrsrf7I~Koa9BQx0O880NqB4o6Lht4~Z~66tNtM2Bmuxgvt-oA5EgLzjOCR8AVm8Y11We0hkmZcv6u4RXhiPxJsyeRnwFLyHSxqYXmVd0cQKKOSsxvIY4bZ5cAzMBDnAazPpn3ZoosOfUg70jB4Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Acton Select Board on Monday honored two members of the Acton Fire Department for off‑duty lifesaving interventions and received a detailed update on a multi-month staffing and station-deployment pilot.

Fire Chief Arnhem presented certificates of recognition and Isaac Davis challenge coins to Firefighter EMT Connor Caveney and Firefighter Paramedic Jonathan Chan. Chief Arnhem said Caveney intervened on Aug. 4 to prevent a person from jumping from an overpass, holding the individual with a bystander until police and EMS arrived. Chief Arnhem said Chan, off duty at a pickup basketball game on Aug. 12, initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation; the patient regained a pulse and later spoke to Chan from the hospital.

Following the recognitions, Chief Arnhem summarized a pilot program to reconfigure station staffing that began in February 2025 after the opening of the North Acton station left four stations understaffed. The department initially tested a two-station model, moved to a three-station approach in May and assigned additional staff to North and South districts so units could respond with larger, three-person engine crews and improved on-site supervision. Chief Arnhem said a three-person crew proved important in a recent apartment fire because two firefighters could enter with a charged hose while a third maintained pump operations and hydrant connections.

The chief and Deputy Chief Christopher Samet said the pilot’s goals included improving firefighter safety (noting OSHA’s ‘‘two‑in/two‑out’’ requirement), increasing training opportunities, boosting morale and aiding recruitment and retention. The department has hired 13 new employees in the past 14 months and expects at least three new paramedics to begin credentialing within about a year as EMTs attend paramedic school.

Chief Arnhem said the department continues to face challenges: cross-staffing of apparatus can leave stations temporarily unmanned when units respond elsewhere; a shortage of firefighter‑paramedics remains; and Station 3 will close temporarily in mid‑December for a tight‑tank installation, requiring a short-term adjustment to the response model. Data analysis on response times and pilot outcomes is still pending; the department indicated it will provide results to the town when available.

Select Board members thanked department leadership and members for flexibility during changes. Members asked whether the town could operate three stations long term; Chief Arnhem said the department can operate with three stations on current staffing levels but emphasized safety and capacity concerns and the need for continued staffing improvements. Deputy Chief Samet described recruiting efforts, including job fairs and sending EMTs to paramedic school to build paramedic capacity internally.

The Select Board asked staff to continue sharing data as it becomes available and to return with updates if the town must reconfigure stations during the Station 3 closure.

The Select Board also thanked the department for providing a public presentation on the pilot and for the visible increase in training activity in neighborhoods where stations now host more on-site drills.","The Select Board honored two firefighters for off-duty lifesaving acts and heard an update on a deployment pilot that consolidated stations to create larger crews, improve training and supervision and address staffing shortages; the department plans further adjustments and paramedic training.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486786,"Select Board closes hearing and approves Vibe Hot Yoga & Pilates use special permit at 254 Great Road",633,1785000,2418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780435-b055675c6f3397023eef785d5791c6fe&start=1785&end=2418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780435-b055675c6f3397023eef785d5791c6fe/thumbnail_1785000.jpg","/articles/6486786/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-closes-hearing-and-approves-Vibe-Hot-Yoga-Pilates-use-special-permit-at-254-Great-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486786-47e600201529b2f3e569690f9c27a132/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412626&Signature=NxzqEt42E4AvaTR9RlQ-SK5qmkMIxixBVPdnIm3ojmFPXgeEDGftUzdt1IM28e3vQ1i-OKaA1HMmXX~0BFkwSIwZ4Q8LOEXH3cIjXmbOIpY1hMkhU2i2KcnNHL9lX-yVwvXAb0IsUQvCV0-8ZDiToNG-h83~C7L3lD51XIM3w0rd8pPNe60nSVu0Vq8uC25w~VqplMUcqSfowEd0M~d~NdZSUwhq4ymTzGzVQCt4eg0VvMuLUriME8dQHjT6Oi3riWNarGOelsHbU5upQlO0Ax8dnNcndYOuEuU19F~WOqfw0ZmQ~Jva7JsI3bH44rL7HOn7pekQQIHT6Gs3jihX7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Acton Select Board held a public hearing and granted a use special permit on Monday to Vibe Hot Yoga & Pilates for a commercial-recreation use over 2,000 square feet at 254 Great Road.

During the hearing, the applicant appeared remotely; Bernard Gibbons represented the property owner and Elise Simeone of Vibe described the business’s community-oriented operations in Chelmsford and Westford and plans for the Acton location. Planning staff reported no outstanding planning division concerns and said Health and Fire Department comments could be addressed at the building- or occupancy-permit stage.

Select Board members focused questions on septic and Title 5 wastewater calculations after a member noted an apparent discrepancy between the applicant’s Title 5 form and the water-use rates in the application. A town planner and the applicant’s representative said they would address Title 5 calculations and follow up with the Board of Health during the building-permit process.

The board first closed the public hearing by voice vote and then moved to approve the use special permit. Select Board member David amended his motion on the record to include a finding that the proposal met the mandatory special-permit findings: consistency with the master plan, harmony with the zoning bylaw purpose, no injurious effect to the neighborhood, appropriateness for the site, and compliance with zoning requirements. The amended motion was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; individual roll-call votes were not recorded in the transcript.

The approval is conditioned on the applicant resolving building, health and fire comments at the appropriate permit stages; the Board directed staff to incorporate the mandatory findings language into the final decision.

Applicant representatives said they would work with the Board of Health and the Building Department to finalize Title 5 wastewater calculations and other technical items before occupancy.","After a public hearing and brief questions from staff, the Select Board approved a use special permit for Vibe Hot Yoga & Pilates at 254 Great Road and amended the motion to state the mandatory zoning findings.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486791,"Acton board approves special permits for Marcus Lewis Racquet Club; fossil-fuel waiver left open for more analysis",3514,1090000,4604000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780435-b055675c6f3397023eef785d5791c6fe&start=1090&end=4604","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780435-b055675c6f3397023eef785d5791c6fe/thumbnail_1090000.jpg","/articles/6486791/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Acton-board-approves-special-permits-for-Marcus-Lewis-Racquet-Club-fossil-fuel-waiver-left-open-for-more-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486791-71e8547b5c716040b61eea076e21de11/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412626&Signature=EgtoTK9k1g9R6c8~8tnkvsTYC5JxTcTIUgJVxDZnzTnox9zv3awiJU95jYZo8NjmX9ULI5jnydlOLcmMKu9RdX5fDyWeQdz9hTw2gcqLyobhWZg6iicc~94pAptapjNbJuuDC0d3rAM6DbWLZtoyqJZoFkF3jBeScSsmgLw8rnDG1dXC-aqb-M2DarhR-zpSPTXmE4mVDmDXzGwZe22HhNO-7GRCaKdjbPQfVmly496RjbYchM-MWPTrN6WAdVyxut4zcdK-9g74h6ws-w--hlp5xs4ytSU3dI9GW5hJ5XChIrUixkfskg4nWEHeCW~5PHp~6revT457VIHtFMAFiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Acton Select Board on Monday approved three special-permit applications for the Marcus Lewis Racquet Club at 45 Nagog Park, clearing the way for a new clubhouse, a pickleball enclosure and a tennis-court enclosure while leaving a requested waiver from the town's fossil-fuel-free bylaw unresolved.

The board voted, by voice, to approve the use special permit applications for commercial recreation and reduced parking and to approve the associated site-plan special permit. The motion to approve was moved and seconded during the meeting; the board approved the permits in a voice vote and did not record individual roll-call votes.

Town staff and the applicant then discussed a separate application seeking a waiver from Acton’s fossil-fuel-free bylaw. Paul Morris of Pinnacle Construction, representing Marcus Lewis and the project team, asked the board for input and for time to respond to questions from the Building Commissioner and from select board members. Building Department staff said they had communicated with the applicant earlier in the day and that options remain for a fully electric design or for technical pathways that could allow mixed-fuel systems, with review and conditions to follow at permitting and building-permit stages.

Select Board member David, who led a technical discussion about heat pumps and state incentives, said commercial incentives from the Mass Save program could be “many tens of thousands of dollars” and urged the applicant to confirm that the specific equipment proposed appears on Mass Save’s qualified list and to obtain AHRI ratings for proposed units. David added that a Mass Save “rebate commitment letter” can hold rebate amounts for 12 months even if program rules change, which can materially affect project economics.

The applicant and consultants acknowledged outstanding technical questions. Marcus Lewis, the property owner, said he favors lower-emissions options but expressed concern about upfront costs and uncertainty around program incentives. He said the structure chosen is a tension-fabric building rather than an inflated “bubble,” and that rooftop solar was not feasible for the building manufacturer’s structural recommendations.

Public commenters urged the board to treat waiver requests carefully. Deborah Simes, an Acton resident, said the town’s climate commitments and the draft bylaw’s waiver standard — permitting relief only if compliance makes a project “financially infeasible or impractical” — require a transparent rubric and, she suggested, independent evaluation. Several technical commenters, including a professional engineer in the audience, recommended the applicant provide detailed load calculations, envelope R-values, infiltration testing, and demonstration that any proposed heat-pump equipment will perform in local cold-weather conditions.

The board did not act on the waiver request. Members asked the applicant to work with the Building Commissioner and Mass Save commercial staff and to return with stamped engineering calculations, AHRI equipment data, and a clearer cost comparison. Town staff and the applicant agreed to try to return to the Select Board agenda on Oct. 6 with the additional information.

The approved site-plan and use permits remain subject to standard building and occupancy approvals, including any conditions listed by Health or Fire departments at the building-permit stage.

The Select Board also moved consent business earlier in the meeting, including the appointment of an associate member to the Transportation Advisory Committee and other routine items.","The Acton Select Board approved three land-use permits for a clubhouse and court enclosures at 45 Nagog Park but did not grant a requested waiver to the town's fossil-fuel-free bylaw, instead asking the applicant for more engineering and cost detail at a follow-up hearing.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6486772,"Acton school committee working with consultant on strategic plan, enrollment and reorganization scenarios",121,40000,161000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5780435-b055675c6f3397023eef785d5791c6fe&start=40&end=161","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5780435-b055675c6f3397023eef785d5791c6fe/thumbnail_40000.jpg","/articles/6486772/Town-of-Acton/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Acton-school-committee-working-with-consultant-on-strategic-plan-enrollment-and-reorganization-scenarios","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6486772-cadd0c1ec53562686bfddfb16aea61d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412626&Signature=MbztpTz92GCHDptvAjZs98IgPKO5OhPd3y47zhCht7~NsJIcD-zaZkY2386onVlWBRYx-bmPqxacOzDkKQ07KYOeJ7A9TtMvjFtNqIL2f6FzzsDpMKLcQ8MbIGlg0TkrUq-T32RMvKBr7hkn-u6ZGLGLJLtmmVuvB0OA9LwcUb7DAbqUwA3SRnT0jFe4NN36Bjbha6~Gf3NshR3mgP5T5MsXJUExAQjcPE8gp3SN-m3vERCULeVBI8xNXNbyzstszv9GZUq42eQrfhRLX-q52Woxc0IE19yBN0e4Z3NkJvVZbSgoykN4U7DutUAMhv8H8UyjbqLVHFtboo1EpvgiwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Glenn Cody, the Select Board’s liaison to the regional school committee, briefed the Acton Select Board on work underway at the school committee to address fiscal pressures and changing enrollment patterns.

Cody said the district received a summer diagnostic from District Management Group (DMG), a national consulting firm, that analyzed enrollment trends, student needs, academic outcomes, finances and facilities. DMG’s analysis, Cody said, reported that the district ranks in the top 5 percent of student outcomes based on cost per pupil in the state, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Cody said the district is facing declining enrollment, more diverse and complex student needs, persistent achievement gaps, rising staffing costs and aging facilities. The school committee has formed a steering committee that is refining draft strategic-plan language, with finalization expected later in September. Reorganization scenarios will be developed this fall and reviewed in October by the steering committee before wider community outreach via surveys, focus groups and public forums.

Cody emphasized that no decisions have been made and that the process will include volunteers and randomly selected participants to capture a range of perspectives. He encouraged public input at multiple points during the planning process and said the district intends to share scenarios with the community shortly after the steering-committee review in October.","Select Board liaison Glenn Cody briefed the board on a District Management Group study finding strong student outcomes relative to cost per pupil, declining enrollment pressures and planned reorganization scenarios to be shared with the community this fall.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New Acton treasurer-collector outlines debt-tracking, banking changes and tax-title strategy

Acton Fire recognizes two off‑duty lifesaving actions and reports staffing, station-pilot changes

Select Board closes hearing and approves Vibe Hot Yoga & Pilates use special permit at 254 Great Road

Acton board approves special permits for Marcus Lewis Racquet Club; fossil-fuel waiver left open for more analysis

Acton school committee working with consultant on strategic plan, enrollment and reorganization scenarios